First Danish experience with ex vivo lung perfusion of donor lungs before transplantation

Ian Sune Iversen Henriksen, Hasse Møller-Sørensen, Christian Holdfold Møller, Mikhail Zemtsovski, Jens Christian Nilsson, Casper Tobias Seidelin, Michael Perch, Martin Iversen, Daniel Steinbrüchel

22 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction: The number of lung transplantations is limited by a general lack of donor organs. Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is a novel method to optimise and evaluate marginal donor lungs prior to transplantation. We describe our experiences with EVLP in Denmark during the first year after its introduction. Material and Methods: The study was conducted by prospective registration of donor offers and lung transplantations in Denmark from 1 May 2012 to 30 April 2013. Donor lungs without any contraindications were transplanted in the traditional manner. Taken for EVLP were donor lungs that were otherwise considered transplantable, but failed to meet the usual criteria due to possible contusions or because they were from donors with sepsis or unable to pass the oxygenation test. results: In the study period, seven of 33 Danish lung transplantations were made possible due to EVLP. One patient died of non-EVLP-related causes, but all other recipients were alive with normal graft function at the end of our registration period. All lungs showed an improved PaO2/ FiO2 ratio from a median 23.1 kPa (8.8-38.9) within the donor to 58.8 kPa (34.9-76.5) (FiO2 = 1.0) after EVLP, which corresponds to a 155% improved oxygenation. The median time to extubation, time in intensive care unit and the admission period were 1, 7 and 39 days, respectively. conclusion: In the first year after the introduction of EVLP in Denmark, seven pairs of donor lungs that previously would have been rejected have been transplanted as a result of their improved function. EVLP seems to be a safe way to increase the use of marginal donor lungs.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberA4809
JournalDanish Medical Journal
Volume61
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)1-6
Number of pages6
ISSN1603-9629
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2014

Keywords

  • Denmark
  • Donor Selection
  • Humans
  • Lung
  • Lung Transplantation
  • Perfusion
  • Preoperative Care
  • Tissue Donors

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